Category Archives: Ebola

Governor Andrew Cuomo hosted a Sandy-themed presentation at the Oakdale campus of St. Johns University this afternoon, along with Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Congressman Tim Bishop, Southhampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, Environmental Facilities Corp. President Matt Driscoll, Stony Brook University Samuel Stanley and DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. The presentation described Sandy-related projects underway, including a $380 million project to improve the sewer service in Suffolk, $880 million to improve the Bay Park sewage treatment plant in Nassau County and a newly-announced project to conduct research on nitrogen loading.

Press Q&A:

Contrary to his recent gaggles, Ebola was only a modest part of the gaggle. Sandy figured prominently in the questions and in his opening statement. Here is Governor Cuomo’s full Q&A session with press:

Update – Ebola Excerpts:

The gaggle featured three Ebola-related questions. The first was whether there is confusion concerning the evolving quarantine policy and whether there is any “daylight” between New York and New Jersey on that policy, the second asked whether he’s concerned about differing CDC and state policies and whether those differing policies send a “mixed message.” The final Ebola question concerned travelers “grabbing a connecting flight” and how the quarantine policy will apply to them.

Cuomo essentially repeated his points of yesterday, asserting that his policy has been consistent as “announced” on Friday and later “detailed.” He noted that the United States Army has adopted a 21 day isolation policy for soldiers returning from the Ebola zone and, pointedly observing that the CDC has yet issue a policy, asserted that the “CDC should talk to the Army … and work it out with them first.”

Concerning the question of whether or how passengers transiting through the Port Authority airports (and presumably meeting the other quarantine policy standards) will be treated, Cuomo replied “that’s gonna then depend on the jurisdiction, the home jurisdiction.” It’s unclear what he meant or whether the Port Authority has a clear policy for dealing with such passengers.

Governor Andrew Cuomo today staunchly defended his modified Ebola-related quarantine plan. Speaking to reporters after an event promoting the proposed school bond issue on the November ballot, he spoke at length about his plan, terming it “entirely reasonable” and describing his primary responsibility as acting “to protect the people of the state of New York.”

At an unusual Sunday night press conference, held with Mayor Bill de Blasio, Cuomo had softened the terms of proposed quarantines to allow for a loose home quarantine. As set out Sunday night, persons who had contact with Ebola patients in three specified West African nations would be restricted to their homes, but allowed contact with their family/household and visitors.

Press Q&A:

Here’s the full press Q&A:

Update – Read My Book:

Toward the end of his Q&A, Governor Cuomo made a quip about his recently published memoir. He had repeatedly discussed the 21 day quarantine requirement, emphasizing the somewhat softened quarantine conditions. (The comment happens at about 15:25 of the full Q&A.)

In an unusual Sunday night press conference, Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio presented a softened version of the Cuomo/Christie Ebola quarantine plan. At a solo press conference Sunday afternoon de Blasio had essentially accepted the Cuomo/Christie, although he urged a softer approach. Joined by New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker and New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Travis Bassett, Cuomo and de Blasio presented a plan that now requires persons exposed to Ebola victims in three West African nations to “set-quarantine” at home or in quarters provided by the state under looser rules and restrictions.

“Let’s move on” was the essence of Mayor de Blasio’s message in discussing the joint New York/New Jersey Ebola-related quarantine policy announced late Friday by Governor Cuomo and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie without advising Mayor de Blasio. This evening, at a Bellevue Hospital press conference, de Blasio made clear both that he was not part of creating or implementing that policy, but also that he accepted it and the state government’s authority to institute it.

Here’s what he said when asked directly about it:

He did, however, harshly criticize the treatment of a nurse forcibly quarantined by the New Jersey:

In a democratic society where government leaders are selected through political elections, fully separating politics from policy is never possible. It’s important to try, however. That notion applies to the unfolding problem of the emergence of Ebola in New York. There’s no absolute script to follow, and it’s important and fair that government officials should be given room to adjust and change their plans and actions as they digest new information and problems. Governor Cuomo’s statement that “this is just evolving and we’re just learning and you adjust to the facts as you learn them” is reasonable. One of his most recent actions, however, has looked more politically focused, due to the manner and circumstances of his announcing it. Continue reading Ebola Politics→

The second stop of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s “Women’s Equality Express” campaign tour today was in Long Island City. Appearing at before an audience composed primarily of trade union members, Cuomo added an extended reflection on his Queens roots to his campaign speech.

Press Q&A:

Cuomo spoke with the press following the rally. With the exception of the last question, the topic was exclusively Ebola.

Update – You Can Take the Boy out of Queens …:

Cuomo began by speaking about his Queens roots. It’s not a part of his standard stump speech, but a special addition for this Queens appearance.

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s reelection campaign brought him to three stops today, with the third and final stop a rally in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant. Accompanied on the full tour by his running mate Kathy Hochul, he was joined in Bed-Stuy by New York City Public Advocate Tish James, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Assembly Member Annette Robinson and New York City Council Member Robert Cornegy.

Press Q&A:

Cuomo spoke with the press following the rally. The questions, with one exception (more on that laterhere), focused on Ebola.

Update: We look at the comment by Public Advocate Letitia James comparing Rob Astorino to Bull Connor here.

Thursday night Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo held a press conference at Bellevue Hospital to announce that a New York City resident has tested positive for the Ebola virus. City Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Travis Bassett, State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, and president of the Health & Hospitals Corporation Dr. Ram Raju joined de Blasio and Cuomo. Dr. Tom Frieden, Director of the Centers for Disease Control, participated by phone. Continue reading Ebola Press Conference→